Marian Wright Edelman: Speaking Up for Children
Marian Wright grew up in Bennettsville, South Carolina, during the 1940s and 1950s. At that time, strict segregation laws separated Black and white citizens in schools, restaurants, and public parks. Her father was a Baptist minister who believed that serving others was a moral duty. When Black children were barred from the local public park, he helped create a park right behind his church. Watching her parents turn unfair treatment into practical community action taught Marian that caring about justice required hard work and steady courage.
After graduating from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, Marian studied law at Yale Law School. She chose to become an attorney so she could defend people who were treated unfairly under the law. In the mid-1960s, she moved to Mississippi, becoming the first Black woman admitted to the Mississippi state bar. Working as a lawyer during the civil rights movement was demanding and dangerous. She represented civil rights workers who were arrested, helped establish community programs, and saw firsthand how deep poverty affected young people.
- segregation:
- The practice of keeping people of different races separated by law or custom.
- attorney:
- A person who is legally trained and qualified to represent others in court; a lawyer.
- vulnerable:
- Open to harm or lacking the power and resources needed to protect oneself.
- lobby:
- To try to influence government officials or lawmakers to pass specific laws.
- discrimination:
- Unfair treatment of a person or group based on categories like race, gender, or background.
- dedication:
- A deep commitment of time, effort, and purpose to a specific cause or mission.
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- 1What action did Marian Wright's father take when Black children were barred from the town's public park?
- 2Why did Marian decide to attend Yale Law School and become an attorney?
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About this biography passage for 5th Grade
“Marian Wright Edelman: Speaking Up for Children” is a biography reading passage about Marian Wright Edelman, written for 5th Grade. It takes about 3 minutes to read (448 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.